Out of TA Chase's books this series is not my favorite. 2.5 stars ( )

#Spoilers for book.#

I had high hopes for "Nick of Time," since I really enjoyed T.A. Chase's "No Going Home." However, even with the addition of vampires and werewolves to this novella, the plot doesn't feel cohesive. The premise is great, Nick, a researcher and all-around geek is seduced by the bad guy to help him find a book of spells that can destroy all paranormal creatures on Earth. Finding out the bad guy's plan, Nick refuses to help him and is beaten to near death, then thrown inside a cell where a vampire is being kept - and tortured. Nick offers his blood to save the vampire from certain death, so when Gryphon breaks them out of their prison, it is then Gryphon's turn to save Nick. He takes him to The Cave, and the gods turn Nick into an Immortal, bringing him back to life. Nick and Gryphon become lovers and set about to find the spell book to save all paranormal creatures.

Sounds like an amazing premise, right? It could have been great, however the execution is flawed. Nick and Gryphon's romance is too quick, it felt forced, and just did not flow with the rest of the story. I found the banter between Pavel and Jess (the next couple for this series?) more interesting, which is a shame because if T.A. Chase hadn't rushed the romance between Nick and Gryphon I think eventually I could have grown to like them together.

Overall, I just could not get into this book despite the fact I love the vampire/werewolf/paranormal genre. Now, I have not read the prequel, "Allergies," but the two main characters from that novel are also in this one, which should make readers of that book happy. Maybe I will buy "Allergies" and see if it is better, just to make sure that the lackluster storytelling in "Nick of Time" was just a fluke, because generally I do like T.A. Chase as an author. ( )